{{Support vote}} Cantwell voted for H.R.325 -- No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013. The bill passed the Senate on January 31, 2013, with a vote of 64 - 34. The purpose of the bill was to temporarily suspend the debt ceiling and withhold the pay of members of Congress until a budget could be passed. The vote largely followed party lines with Democrats overwhelmingly supporting it and many Republicans in opposition to the bill.<ref>[https://votesmart.org/bill/votes/42338?s=party ''Project Vote Smart,'' "HR 325 - To Ensure the Complete and Timely Payment of the Obligations of the United States Government Until May 19, 2013 - Voting Record," accessed September 25, 2013]</ref>

{{Support vote}} Cantwell voted for H.R.325 -- No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013. The bill passed the Senate on January 31, 2013, with a vote of 64 - 34. The purpose of the bill was to temporarily suspend the debt ceiling and withhold the pay of members of Congress until a budget could be passed. The vote largely followed party lines with Democrats overwhelmingly supporting it and many Republicans in opposition to the bill.<ref>[https://votesmart.org/bill/votes/42338?s=party ''Project Vote Smart,'' "HR 325 - To Ensure the Complete and Timely Payment of the Obligations of the United States Government Until May 19, 2013 - Voting Record," accessed September 25, 2013]</ref>

Maria Cantwell (b. October 13, 1958, in Indianapolis, IN) is a Democratic member of the U.S. Senate from the state of Washington. Cantwell was first elected to the Senate in 2000 and is currently serving her third term.[1]

Cantwell is set to run for re-election in Washington in November of 2018.[2]

Prior to her election to the Senate, Cantwell served as Senior Vice President of Consumer Products for RealNetworks from 1995-2000.[3]

Based on analysis of multiple outside rankings, Cantwell is one of the most reliable Democratic votes, meaning she can be considered a safe vote for the Democratic Party in Congress.

Biography

Cantwell was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and earned her bachelor's degree from Miami University of Ohio.[4] After losing her 1994 bid for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, she pursued a career in the high-tech industry before returning to politics again in 2000.[5]

2011-2012

Issues

Legislative actions

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 114 out of the 3,036 introduced bills (3.8 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[7] The Senate confirmed 13,949 out of 18,323 executive nominations received (76.1 percent). For more information pertaining to Cantwell's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[8]

National security

John Brennan CIA nomination

Cantwell voted for the confirmation of John Brennan as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 7, 2013, with a vote of 63 - 34. Most Democrats supported the nomination, while Republicans were somewhat divided with roughly one-third supporting the nomination.[9]

Economy

Farm bill

On February 4, 2014, the Democratic controlled Senate approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, H.R. 2642, also known as the Farm Bill.[10] It passed the Senate with a vote of 68-32. The nearly 1,000-page bill reformed and continued various programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that will kick in if or when prices drop; however, cuts to the food stamp program cut an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.[11] Cantwell joined with 46 other Democraticsenators in favor of the bill.

2014 Budget

On January 16, 2014, the Democratic-controlled Senate approved H.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014.[12][13] The Senate voted 72-26 for the 1,582 page bill, with 17 Republicans and 55 Democrats voting in favor of the bill.[13] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.[14] It included a 1 percent increase in the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel, a $1 billion increase in Head Start funding for early childhood education, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency and left the Affordable Care Act without any drastic cuts. Cantwell voted with the Democratic Party in favor of the bill.[12][13]

No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013

Cantwell voted for H.R.325 -- No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013. The bill passed the Senate on January 31, 2013, with a vote of 64 - 34. The purpose of the bill was to temporarily suspend the debt ceiling and withhold the pay of members of Congress until a budget could be passed. The vote largely followed party lines with Democrats overwhelmingly supporting it and many Republicans in opposition to the bill.[15]

Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act

Cantwell voted for Bill S 540, and on February 12, 2014, the Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act passed in the Senate with a vote of 55 - 43. [16] This bill extended the debt limit of the federal government until March 15, 2015 in order to allow the federal government to meet necessary obligations. The House of Representatives had passed the bill on February 11, 2014 with an amendment, and the Senate approved the amendment and passed the bill on February 13, 2014. [17]

Government shutdown

During the shutdown in October 2013, the Senate rejected, down party lines, every House-originated bill that stripped the budget of funding for the Affordable Care Act. A deal was reached late on October 16, 2013, just hours before the debt ceiling deadline. The bill to reopen the government, H.R. 2775, lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funds the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[18] The final vote on H.R. 2775 was 81-18, with all 18 votes against the bill from Republican members. Cantwell voted with the Democratic Party for the bill.[19]

Immigration

Mexico-U.S. border

Cantwell voted against Senate Amendment 1197 -- Requires the Completion of the Fence Along the United States-Mexico Border. The amendment was rejected by the Senate on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 39 - 54. The purpose of the amendment was to require the completion of 350 miles of fence described in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 before registered provisional immigrant status may be granted. It would also require 700 miles of fence be completed before the status of registered provisional immigrants may be changed to permanent resident status. The vote followed party lines.[20]

Social Issues

Washington Redskins

Cantwell joined Rep. Tom Cole and called for the National Football League to back a name change for the Washington Redskins, saying the name is offensive to Native Americans.[21]

In a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodwell, Cantwell, chairwoman of the Indian Affairs Committee, and Rep. Cole, member of the Native American Caucus, wrote, "Saying the Washington football team ‘honored Native Americans’ perpetuates a charade that dishonors Native people and their governments and erodes the reputation of the National Football League...We believe that the fact that this term does not honor — but rather disparages — Indian people and tribes is what will and should guide federal policymakers,” they wrote in the letter, which they plan to send Monday.[21]

Violence Against Women (2013)

Cantwell voted for S.47 -- Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. The bill was passed by the Senate on February 12, 2013, with a vote of 78 - 22. The purpose of the bill was to combat violence against women, from domestic violence to international trafficking in persons. All 22 dissenting votes were cast by Republicans.[22]

Previous congressional sessions

Fiscal Cliff

Cantwell voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. The bill was passed in the Senate by a 89 - 8 vote on January 1, 2013.[23]

Elections

2012

Cantwell won re-election in 2012.[1] Washington's top-two primary system means that all candidates are included on one ballot. The top two vote-getters, regardless of party, continue to the general election. She and Michael Baumgartner advanced past the blanket primary, and Cantwell defeated Baumgartner in the general election on November 6, 2012.[24]

Cantwell had a $4.5 million advantage over any of her challengers.[25]

Full history

To view the full congressional electoral history for Maria Cantwell, click [show] to expand the section.

2006

On November 7, 2006, Maria Cantwell won re-election to the United States Senate. She defeated Mike McGavick (R), Robin Adair (I), Bruce Guthrie (L) and Aaron Dixon (G) in the general election.[26]

U.S. Senate, Washington General Election, 2006

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Maria Cantwellincumbent

56.9%

1,184,659

Republican

Mike McGavick

39.9%

832,106

Independent

Robin Adair

0.8%

16,384

Libertarian

Bruce Guthrie

1.4%

29,331

Green

Aaron Dixon

1%

21,254

Total Votes

2,083,734

2000

On November 7, 2000, Maria Cantwell won election to the United States Senate. She defeated Slade Gorton (R) and Jeff Jared (L) in the general election.[27]

U.S. Senate, Washington General Election, 2000

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Democratic

Maria Cantwell

48.7%

1,199,437

Republican

Slade Gorton

48.6%

1,197,208

Libertarian

Jeff Jared

2.6%

64,734

Total Votes

2,461,379

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Cantwell is available dating back to 2000. Based on available campaign finance records, Cantwell raised a total of $42,432,630 during that time period. This information was last updated on April 25, 2013.[28]

Maria Cantwell's Campaign Contribution History

Year

Office

Result

Contributions

2012

U.S. Senate (Washington)

$11,978,158

2006

U.S. Senate (Washington)

$18,879,272

2000

U.S. Senate (Washington)

$11,575,200

Grand Total Raised

$42,432,630

2012

Breakdown of the source of Cantwell's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

Cantwell won re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2012. During that election cycle, Cantwell's campaign committee raised a total of $11,978,158 and spent $11,198,862.[29]

Cost per vote

Cantwell spent $6.04 per vote received in 2012.

U.S. Senate, Washington, 2012 - Maria Cantwell Campaign Contributions

Total Raised

$11,978,158

Total Spent

$11,198,862

Total Raised by Election Runner-up

$1,042,116

Total Spent by Election Runner-up

$998,360

Top contributors to Maria Cantwell's campaign committee

Microsoft Corp

$113,474

Emily's List

$81,450

League of Conservation Voters

$43,950

University of Washington

$43,112

Morgan & Morgan

$40,000

Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee

Lawyers/Law Firms

$769,569

Retired

$713,547

Lobbyists

$569,315

Securities & Investment

$352,529

Computers/Internet

$269,286

Out-of-state donations

According to an Open Secrets report, Cantwell ranked among the top ten senate candidates receiving out-of-state donations during the 2012 election cycle. She received $3,768,144, or 54.9%, of her donations from outside of Washington.[30]

2006

Breakdown of the source of Cantwell's campaign funds before the 2006 election.

Cantwell won re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2006. During that re-election cycle, Cantwell's campaign committee raised a total of $18,879,272 and spent $16,712,061.[31]

Lifetime voting record

According to the website GovTrack, Cantwell missed 26 of 3,886 roll call votes from January 2001 to March 2013. This amounts to 0.7%, which is better than the median of 1.7% among current senators as of April 2013.[34]

Congressional staff salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Cantwell paid her congressional staff a total of $2,507,979 in 2011. She ranks 13th on the list of the lowest paid Democratic senatorial staff salaries and ranks 42nd overall of the lowest paid senatorial staff salaries in 2011. Overall, Washington ranks 25th in average salary for senatorial staff. The average U.S. Senate congressional staff was paid $2,529,141.70 in fiscal year 2011.[35]

Net worth

2012

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Cantwell's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $1,423,012 to $6,119,999. That averages to $3,771,505.50, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic Senate members in 2012 of $13,566,333.90. Cantwell ranked as the 35th most wealthy senator in 2012.[36]

Maria Cantwell Yearly Net Worth

Year

Avg. Net Worth

% Difference from previous year

2012

$3,771,505.50

-10.49%

2011

$4,213,505

-31.64%

2010

$6,163,505.50

N/A

National Journal vote ratings

2012

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Cantwell was 1 of 2 members who ranked 11th in the liberal rankings in 2012.[37]